Niagara answers wake-up call, beats Howard
Published: November 20, 2009, 10:37 pm
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Clearly these morning starts agree with the Niagara men's basketball team.
Not only did the Purple Eagles have their shooting touch, they were smoking hot from the floor in earning an 82-77 triumph over Howard at the Glenn Wilkes Classic at the Ocean Center.
Every Niagara (2-1) player that checked into the game scored at least two points with four hitting double figures. Point guard Anthony Nelson led the Purple Eagles with 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting and also finished with five assists and four rebounds.
Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls) and Bilal Benn each had 17 points, while Demetrius Williamson scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half as NU carried a 50-37 lead into intermission after sinking 20 of its first 28 shots (71.4 percent). Garrison and Benn both had 11 points before halftime.
This was the second time this week NU had a morning tip-off. Niagara earned a 76-69 win Tuesday over Drexel in a contest that began at 8 a.m. as part of ESPN's 24 Hours of College Basketball Tipoff Marathon.
The Bison (0-3) pulled within 60-58 with eight minutes left on a Calvin Thompson (28 points) short jumper, but the Purple Eagles ended their comeback hopes with a 14-3 burst ignited by a fast-break basket by Garrison.
Benn had team highs of 12 rebounds and six assists.
Niagara shot 32 for 56 (57.1 percent) for the game while holding Howard to 44.3 percent shooting (27 for 61). The Purple Eagles did struggle at the foul line, missing 15 of 25 shots.
Niagara returns to action in the event today against Central Florida. (3:30 p.m., Radio 1520 AM).
Today's games
The University at Buffalo looks to complete its Maryland getaway with its second win in three
days when the Bulls (1-1) visit Towson (1-0) (1 p.m., Radio 1230 AM). UB began its mini-
adventure through the state with a win Thursday night at Navy.
Jawaan Alston played a career-high 31 minutes in the triumph over the Midshipmen and finished a point shy of earning his first double-double with UB.
The Bulls have held each of their opponents to under 34 percent shooting.
Towson is coached by veteran Pat Kennedy, whose resume includes stops at DePaul, Iona and Florida State during his 30 seasons.
Canisius looks to bounce back from Tuesday's season-opening defeat at Loyola-Chicago when it plays at Saint Francis of New York (0-2) (2 p.m., Radio 710 AM).
In women's action, UB (1-1) welcomes Temple (3-0) in its home opener at Alumni Arena. (2 p.m., Radio 1340 AM).
UB coach Linda Hill-MacDonald began her career in 1980 at Temple, earning Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors twice while with the Owls.
Temple, an NCAA Tournament participant last year, earned a nice win over reigning Southeastern Conference champion Auburn on Tuesday. The Owls are paced by Shaqwedia Wallace (16.7 points per game) and Kristen McCarthy (13 ppg).
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